Allen J. "Buddy" Boyer

Allen J. "Buddy" Boyer, born February 20, 1932, of Freeport, IL, passed away May 23, 2016 at Luther Manor in Wauwatosa, WI, after a long battle with COPD and lung cancer. He is survived by: his brothers Milo, Clyde and Eugene; sister Janice; grand-daughters Jenny, Marsha and Holly; great-grandsons William and Clayton; and daughter-in-law Loretta. He is proceeded in death by: his parents Isabelle Hartman and Allen Boyer, Sr; sister Joyce; brother Dale; wife Emily Anderson; and children Roger, Robin, Robert, Jodi Lynn and Mary Jo. Allen started out his life on the family farm between Stockton and Warren. As he grew, he developed a love for fast cars, loud trucks, fishing and fine women. His taste and temperament were all his own, and because of that, he had a variety of relationship types, which kept him entertained. Throughout his life, Allen lived in many areas: Arizona, where he was a welder; Nevada, where he spent time as a blackjack dealer; Washington, where he was enlisted as a Radio-Operator Airman for the U.S. Air Force and later became a semi-truck driver; and Louisiana and Arkansas where he mostly fished and fell in love with motorcycles. At one point in his life, he worked the family farm, but found more interest in welding and truck driving and chose that as his primary career path. Even after Bud stopped stock car racing, he never lost his passion for dirt track racing and racing in general. He would take every opportunity to attend and watch the races. This passion, was equally met and held, with his love of boating and fishing. He was a firm believer, that if you wanted to catch fish, you had to be up and ready before they were. Crappie and bass fishing were amongst his favorite, but he had no prejudice when it came to fish and quality built racing machines. Bud had a hard struggle the last 10 years of his life. After having medical complications, he had to have two ribs removed, and that is where things started to turn for him. He returned to Freeport, and found his entertainment and good company, playing cards with the gentlemen at Peck's and rekindling with his family. In 2015, Bud was diagnosed with lung cancer; it was that, which got the best of him. He was a hard-working, passionate and driven man, that would do what needed to be done, to get it done, and was always there to help his children and grandchildren. He may have been a difficult man to many in his life, but the last six months he was alive, he was often referred to as friendly, polite, sociable and a good conversationalist. This is proof, that even a stubborn old dog can learn new ways, and will do what is needed for those that he loves and those that love him. He will be missed - Happy Trails and Have a Safe Trip, to the Jack-of-all-Trades and the Clint Eastwood of rural Stockton. The services will be held Saturday, May 28th at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. The visitation starts at 10 a.m. followed by the services at 11 a.m. A funeral lunch will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lafayette County Race Track, in the name of Allen "Bud" Boyer. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign online guestbook and to share memories.